How to Remain the Light
- Jennifer Ritchotte
- Jul 1, 2025
- 2 min read
Over the past year, I’ve spent a great deal of time reflecting on how I could remain a light for my students and not give into the “noise” of public education. I wanted more days of joyfulness and fewer days of worrying. If our students are why we teach, I was determined to figure out how I could remain connected to my purpose as a teacher. I resolved to figure out how to shine more consistently for my students and help other educators do the same.
I think most of us can agree that constantly being in survival mode is not sustainable and we, as well as our students, deserve more than this. We didn’t become educators to just endure out of habit and bide our time until retirement. I believe it is possible to soften the noise around us and actively reclaim our purpose as educators.
Remaining a consistent light for our students, their families, and our colleagues, requires some introspection and reflection. The following four questions get to the core of how we can stay grounded, engaged, and impactful in our profession and help our colleagues do the same:
What powers your light?
For me, it’s watching my students create; it’s lifting my colleagues and being lifted by them; it’s the autonomy to design lessons I sincerely am excited to teach. I want you to think about what fuels you What helps you show up and be present, even on the hardest days?
What drains your light?
We all experience burnout; all lights dim sometimes. Meetings, negativity, testing pressure, behavior challenges are some common drains. We need to name them honestly, so we can determine what we are able to control and change. Which brings me to my next question.
What’s within your sphere of influence?
We have more agency than we realize, in our attitudes, in how we engage with our students and colleagues, and in the energy we bring to each room we walk into. We need to recognize that agency, and help other teachers recognize theirs. This brings me to my last question that I would really like you to take time and process.
How can we create more light moments for ourselves and others?
Can we purposefully step away from cycles of negativity and actively step toward kindness? Can we seek out more opportunities to lead and be a steady voice for those who don’t feel heard? In a profession that desperately needs more light, how will you stay meaningfully connected to your purpose, your “why” and help your colleagues do the same, so that together, all of us can remain a light that guides our students forward, even through the darkest and most uncertain times.
As you physically, emotionally, and spiritually prepare for another school year, I created a Remain the Light visual organizer that I hope will be a living document of sorts for you, that you can update and refer back to as needed to remain grounded in your purpose and support others in doing the same.
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